Barr. Mrs. Saidat Olayinka Oladunjoye has joined other dignitaries and members of the public at the screening of the Nollywood movie Black Market at Tafawa Balewa Square, Lagos, highlighting the opportunities within Nigeria’s creative industry.
Epe Insights reports that Oladunjoye attended the September 26, 2026 screening alongside Lagos State Deputy Governor, Dr. Kadri Obafemi Hamzat, as the organisers pursued a Guinness World Records title for the largest attendance at a film screening. The event later recorded 51,258 qualifying attendees, according to the Lagos State Government.
The screening attracted thousands of movie lovers and creative industry stakeholders to Tafawa Balewa Square, providing a major platform for Nigerian film and entertainment.
Oladunjoye shared her experience after attending the event, describing the gathering as a reflection of Nigeria’s creativity, talent and collective spirit.
She noted that people from different backgrounds came together to support an initiative driven by creativity, passion and determination.
The event was organised around an ambitious attempt to set a new Guinness World Records benchmark for the largest audience at a film screening in a single location.
Organisers had targeted an audience of 50,000 people for the screening, which took place at Tafawa Balewa Square on Saturday, September 26.
The Guinness World Records verification later recognised more than 51,000 qualifying viewers who remained from the beginning to the end of the movie.
The achievement surpassed the previous record of 43,624 viewers, which had been set in 2015 during a screening of the Filipino film Felix Manalo at the Philippine Arena.
The record-setting event placed Nigerian cinema and the country’s creative sector in the international spotlight.
For Oladunjoye, the gathering also demonstrated the potential of Nigeria’s creative economy, particularly in creating opportunities for young people.
She emphasised the importance of creating an enabling environment where young Nigerians can develop their talents and turn creative ideas into sustainable businesses.
According to her message, supporting innovation and providing the right opportunities could help more young people participate meaningfully in the creative economy.
Her comments placed emphasis on the connection between creativity, entrepreneurship and youth development.
Nigeria’s entertainment industry has continued to provide opportunities across filmmaking, acting, music, production, digital content and other creative fields.
The Black Market screening provided an example of how entertainment projects can attract large audiences while creating platforms for creative professionals.
The event also brought together public officials, entertainers, filmmakers, industry stakeholders and members of the public.
The presence of government representatives further highlighted the interaction between public institutions and Nigeria’s growing creative sector.
Deputy Governor Hamzat was among the dignitaries at the event and commended the organisers and young creatives involved in the project.
The Lagos State Government later described the record as a significant achievement for Nollywood, Lagos and Nigeria, while acknowledging the contributions of the filmmakers, partners, media and attendees.
The government also stated that the achievement demonstrated what could be achieved through collaboration between government and creative industry stakeholders.
The record-breaking screening therefore provided more than an entertainment experience for attendees.
It also offered an opportunity to showcase Nigerian creative talent and demonstrate the ability of the country’s entertainment sector to organise large-scale productions.
For young creatives, the event further highlighted the potential of film and entertainment as avenues for entrepreneurship and economic participation.
Oladunjoye’s remarks focused particularly on the need to support young Nigerians with opportunities to transform their talents into sustainable ventures.
She also drew attention to the importance of innovation in developing the creative economy.
The message comes as stakeholders continue to explore ways of expanding opportunities for young people within Nigeria’s entertainment and creative sectors.
The Black Market milestone has also generated wider attention for Nigerian cinema following the successful record attempt at Tafawa Balewa Square.
With 51,258 qualifying attendees recognised for the screening, the event has become one of the latest major milestones associated with Nollywood and Nigeria’s entertainment industry.
The gathering demonstrated the ability of a Nigerian film project to attract a large audience around a single cinematic experience.
It also provided a platform for discussions about creativity, innovation, youth opportunities and the economic potential of the entertainment industry.
For Oladunjoye, the experience reinforced the importance of creating opportunities for young Nigerians to develop their talents.
She maintained that supporting innovation could help more young people convert their creative abilities into sustainable businesses.
The message ultimately highlighted the relationship between creative expression, youth empowerment and economic opportunities.
The successful Black Market screening has added another record to Nigeria’s growing list of achievements in the global entertainment space.
The event at Tafawa Balewa Square has also drawn attention to the potential of large-scale creative projects to bring people together while promoting Nigerian talent.
